IGN writes: "Aspyr Media, in collaboration with Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions announced today that futureU, its new SAT prep video game, has shipped to retail stores nationwide for PC and Mac. futureU, the first game released under Aspyr and Kaplan's partnership, represents a new medium for supplemental SAT prep, adapting test preparation material into a collection of fun interactive games.
futureU consists of six distinctive innovative mini-games that are divided into three main categories - Math, Reading and Writing. Designed as a complement to traditional SAT study methods, the game is grounded in Kaplan curriculum and features hundreds of questions and track-able player progress. In addition, players can engage in a section called "Test Skills" that teach the vital test-taking and time management skills necessary for taking the big exam."
IGN writes: "If you do not do well on the SATs, you will fail at life. You might as well just sell all your belongings and live out the rest of your miserable days on this rock as a hobo. Luckily FutureU: The Prep Game for SAT review is here to help you get your life back on track. Is this game from the Kaplan test folk fun? No, but since IGN has become a predominately educational site (we tried the fun thing years ago but failed, miserably), we've decided to see how well this game teaches you the ropes."
Now comes the final question. Is futureU worth your hard-earned money? Without a doubt, no. FutureU is an average test prep tool. Nothing more, nothing less. If you're looking for a fun new game to play, futureU is not for you. The only thing it has in common with games is that you can create an avatar and gather achievements. The "games" inside are mainly just skill builders and tests, and they're not particularly fun. There are numerous games and prep programs that are better than futureU, and most of them can be bought used for much less than $39.99.
The game manual includes helpful references, but like the game, does not have an exhaustive amount, which is just not an ideal player pace, especially those filled with test anxiety. Players will need patience though because answers take a while to process at times. The upcoming Nintendo DS version of this game will feature unique touch-screen interactivity for certain problems. A downloadable version is also in the works, which may alleviate some selective video card issues.
